El Savador

El Savador Tourist Guide & Info

El Salvador has long remained one of the least-visited countries of Central America. Reasons can include the fact that it is the smallest country of the continent, the only nation without a Caribbean shoreline, or much publicized political upheavals from the past. Today El Salvador is a fantastic destination, appealing to a new class of eco-sensitive tourists, adventure travelers in search of an unbeaten path, or those truly looking for peace and quiet.

Thrill seeking surfers already know that El Salvador has some of the best waves in the world. The countryside lets adventures explore desolate volcanoes craters, lush green mountains, and secluded beaches. Numerous Mayans ruins, such as Joya de Ceren and the Tazumal pyramid, can be visited. The capital, San Salvador, is a cosmopolitan city with delicious seafood restaurants, shopping, and lively entertainment.

Essential Info

Capital :San Salvador

Currency :US dollar

Driver's License :International driver's license required.

Electricity :110 V, 60Hz

Entry Requirements :A passport, valid 6 months beyond intended stay, a tourist card ($10 US) and an ongoing or return ticket are required. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the country’s Embassy for up-to-date information.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada :Consult the "Country Travel Advice and Advisories" of El salvador

Origin & Culture

Cuisine

Dessert usually consists of Dulce de Leche, a caramel candy with milk. Fruits are often served, favourites being mangoes, papayas and bananas. Coconuts and coconut milk are common too.

Culture

The Salvadorans are very artistic and creative. Means of expression have come through in painting, ceramics and textile. Pipil and Maya music relied on instruments such as drums, rattles, marimba, and flutes. Today's most popular music is the cumbia, as well as salsa, chanchona, hip hop, reggae, and reggaeton.

Geography

There are two parallel mountain ranges crossing El Salvador, forming a central plateau between them, covering 85 percent of the land. The rest of it terrain is made up of a narrow coastal plain, referred to as the lowlands. The mountain ranges are also home to 25 volcanoes. Several of the volcanic craters enclose large lakes, such as Lake Ilopango and Lake Coatepeque. The country's highest point is Hill El Pital, rising 2,730m above sea level.

History

The first attempts to gain independence from Spain came in 1811, when a movement grew amongst the middle class and mestizo classes. They failed with the first try but in 1821, El Salvador and the other Central American provinces declared their independence from Spain and signed the Acta de Independencia. For the next hundred years, the country was ruled by the elite landowners and its history was marked by several revolts by the common people.

On December, 1931, government was overthrown by General Maximiliano Hernandez Martinez who assumed the presidency. This authoritarian regime caused much social outbreak. The peasants revolted, the military answered by murdering, imprisoning or exiling opponents. During the 1970s, the political situation began to unravel. Several protests and an attempted coup were crushed. By 1979, leftist guerrilla warfare had broken out in the cities and the countryside, launching what became a 12-year civil war. After years of negotiations, the Chapultepec Peace Accords was signed in 1992 and a 9-month cease-fire took effect with success. Today, El Salvador is stabilizing and with a growing economy, leaving behind its painful history.

Nature

The Salvadoran government has established natural reserves and national parks to preserve what is left, offering breathtaking sceneries with volcanoes and mountains, beautiful and secluded beaches and forests. The most important ones are at Montecristo National Park, El Imposible National Park, Cerro Verde, Deininger Park, and El Jocotal Lagoon.

The animal life has suffered greatly as well, with some species having completely vanished, such as the crested eagle and the jaguar. But there are still plenty for visitors to observe, like monkeys, coyotes, pumas, iguanas and boa constrictors. There are 420 different bird species, including several varieties of hummingbirds.

Sports

Futbol (know as soccer in North America) is the national sport. Other popular sports include basketball and baseball.

Other Useful Info

Banks & Money

The legal tender in El Salvador is the US Dollar, although you may still come across the old local currency called the Colon, which can be used in stores and buses. All prices are listed in USD. Try not to have any bigger bills then a 20, as big bills will be refused.

You will find ATM machines in larger cities. Traveller's cheques and most major credit cards are accepted in larger stores, restaurants and hotels. Small shops usually only accept cash.

Climate

For monthly average temperatures please refer to your destination of choice.

Communication

The International Dialling Code for El Salvador is 503. Telecom is the private phone company, with offices in every town. From them you can make local, long-distance, international calls and send faxes. There are a few mobile phone providers in El Salvador. Internet access is more and more common, particularly around universities, cyber cafés and hotels.

There are several daily Spanish newspapers available, such as La Prensa Grafica, El Mundo and El Diario de Hoy. Local television and radio stations are mostly owned by private operators. Cable TV is widely available and carries international channels.

Health

Travelers' diarrhea is the most common ailment. Avoid dairy products (they are not pasteurized), unpeeled fruit and vegetables, or foods that have been washed with tap water. Although tempting, it is recommended to stay away from food sold on the streets.

There are no required vaccines to enter the country, unless you are arriving from a yellow fever affected destination. Also, vaccination against malaria is highly recommended if you plan on traveling to rural areas. The following vaccines are recommended for any tropical destination: hepatitis A and B, rabies, typhoid, tetanus and yellow fever.

El Salvador has a lot of trouble shaking off a bad reputation, following the 1980s civil war. Today the country is stable politically however crime is an issue and mostly involves gag activity. As locals to make sure you do not enter gang zones and avoid wearing clothes with numbers 13 and 18. Although the crime rate should not deter you from travelling to El Salvador, extra precaution and attentiveness is essential. Armed robbery and carjacking due happen in every part of the country, even in rural areas. Criminals can get violent quickly and they will shoot. If you should get into such a situation, always do exactly as you are told by the assailant.

Use good judgement, keep money and travel documents well hidden in a money belt and take advantage of the safety deposit boxes provided by the hotels. Always lock your hotel door or your rented car. Never leave any luggage unattended and be inconspicuous with jewellery, cameras, or anything of value. Walking at night is not advised.

Shopping

Taxes & Tips

The departure tax of around US $32, per person, must be paid when leaving the country if it was not already included on your plane ticket, please verify.

A government sales tax of 13% is added on most goods and services. Usually hotels and restaurants add a 10% service fee. If it has not been added, a 10% tip is recommended. Chambermaids are tipped $1 per day. Bellboys and airport porters should receive $1 per bag. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.

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